Surname Sellert - Meaning and Origin
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Sellert: What does the surname Sellert mean?
The surname Sellert is of German origin and belongs to the large group of surnames derived from locations, personal characteristics, or trades. Sellert itself is derived from the Middle High German word salhart, meaning "the one who lives in, or operates from, the salt store". This type of activity was very important in the Middle Ages and early modern period, as salt was used for both food preservation and seasoning. In some families the surname was most likely adopted from a place-name such as Sellertsberg or Sellersburg, although it is not possible to track the exact origin in many cases.
The Sellerts held various estates, fiefs, and offices in the area around Vienna in the Middle Ages, making them a prominent family in the area. The family was later divided into several branches, which established themselves in different regions of Germany and Austria. The family was further divided into von Sellert, Sellert, Heß Sellert, and Lindemann Sellert, reflecting their success and continued divided of the line.
The von Sellert family is now scattered throughout the world, often having changed their name to varying spellings and pronunciations. Yet the roots still remain, providing a testament to the universally important activity of salt storage and to the Sellerts’ remarkable success as a family in Germany and Austria for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisSellert: Where does the name Sellert come from?
The last name Sellert is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. Specifically, Sellert is particularly well represented in the Bavarian region of Germany and in some German-speaking parts of Switzerland. It is also a popular surname in countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States with large German emigrant populations. The German origin of the name Sellert is derived from the Middle High German word “sellear”, meaning “settler” which held the same spelling in the Middle Ages. Thus, Sellert can be interpreted to mean “one who settles” and was likely used to describe settlers in a particular region. Over the centuries, members of the Sellert surname have lived in cities such as Munich, Berlin, and Stuttgart. Some of the earliest occurrences of the Sellert surname can be traced back to the early 15th century, when their bearers were prominent members of the social elite in their respective regions. Today, Sellert is more likely to be found in the average German family, as the vast majority of Sellerts are descendants of early German settlers in the Bavarian region.
Variations of the surname Sellert
Sellert is a surname of German origin, derived from a title of a civil servant called "sealmaster," or "Schöllert." The title “sealmaster” came from the Old Saxon “sculd-ehre,” which means “keeper of the mark.” The word “Schöllert” became phonetically and linguistically adapted into many of the various forms of Sellert seen today, such as Sellard, Sellar, Sellers, Sellersdorf, Sellner, and Seller. It originally referred to a person who was master of seals, which was an important job in Europe throughout the Middle Ages. This was someone who would authenticate documents by affixing or embossing the ruler’s or government’s seal to them.
Variants, or closely related spellings, of Sellert include Saller, Sellhorst, Sellar, Cellar, Sellar, and Sellersdorfer. All of these derive from the same origin.
Surnames related to Sellert but not derived from the same origin are Selner, Sellecke, Seelinger, and Seler. These surnames have different root meanings and origins, such as the Old Saxon or German words “sel(l)e” meaning “on the sea,” or Hebrew “sheli” meaning “my rock.”
In summary, Sellert is derived from a title of a civil servant and is spelled a variety of ways, either of which may be an indication of the same origin. Variants and closely related words for Sellert are Saller, Sellhorst, Sellar, Cellar, Sellar, and Sellersdorfer. Surnames related to Sellert but of different origin include Selner, Sellecke, Seelinger, and Seler.
Famous people with the name Sellert
- Alexa Sellert: German international model
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- Ernst Sellert: German 19th century physicist
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- Gabriele Sellert: Austrian sculptor
- Jesper Sellert: Danish drummer and composer
- Ludwig Sellert: German 20th century hyperinflation expert
- Sven Sellert: Swedish physicist
- Steven Sellert: American college basketball coach
- Thomas Sellert: German modern pentathlete